The exciting young talent is set to move on in search of first team opportunities and was subject of a £12m bid from West Brom.

But now Villa have entered the race, claim the Sun, with Middlesbrough, Leeds and Nottingham Forest all keen.

The five-way transfer battle ought to see the Reds pocket more than previously rumoured £12m, which will help Jurgen Klopp's transfer kitty either on deadline day or with a view to mid-season recruits in January.

Marko Grujic fights for the ball in a pre-season friendly (Image: Jeff Zelevansky)

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Transfer Deadline Day

Jordan Henderson sees good signs from strengthened Liverpool squad — and accepts he may not face West Ham

Jordan Henderson says Liverpool will hit the ground running this weekend as they start their bid to take Manchester City’s crown.

Jurgen Klopp’s side start their Premier League campaign at home against big-spending West Ham, now bossed by City’s former manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Henderson recently returned from England’s World Cup exploits and played against Torino this week in a friendly at Anfield. He says he is delighted with what he has seen already in pre-season and reckons the Reds are ready for action.

“There’s competition everywhere," said Henderson. "All over the pitch, we’ve got two or three players in the same position.